partnership

July 1, 2025July 8, 2025

A New Chapter, A Shared Calling

Dear CFCI Family,

Today marks the beginning of a new chapter — not just for me personally, but for all of us together. As I step into the role of President of Christ For the City International (CFCI), I am deeply aware that this moment is not about a person, but about the ongoing work of God through a faithful community. Thank you for being part of that community. As we look to the future, I am filled with hope and anticipation for what God will continue to do through us.

And let me be clear from the very beginning: the leadership of this organization is not changing — because God has always been, and will always be, the true leader of CFCI. We are simply stewards of His mission, and it is our joy to follow where He leads.

In that spirit, I want to begin by honoring someone who has modeled that kind of servant leadership so beautifully — Dr. Chip Anderson. His faithful leadership has been a gift to this organization and to the Kingdom. He has led with wisdom, humility, and a heart fully surrendered to Christ. Because of Chip’s leadership, we are not starting something new —we are building on the strong foundation that he and others have laid.

As we look ahead, it’s important to remember that history, and remember who we are. Our identity is rooted in the values that have shaped CFCI from the beginning. These values are not just words—they are the heartbeat of our organization.

I’d like to highlight a few that will be especially important as we move forward:

COMMUNITY OVER INDIVIDUALISM
We are better together. We choose to live sacrificially for the sake of the gospel, to empower others rather than seek our own success. This is not a solo journey — it is a shared calling. And in a world that often celebrates individualism, we choose community, collaboration, and Christ-centered unity.

BEING BEFORE DOING
Our daily pursuit is to be like Christ — not just in what we do, but in who we are. Disciple-making is not a department — it is our identity. And we do not walk this path alone — we love His bride, the Church, and we serve her with joy.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND INTEGRITY
We work hard. We do what we say. We speak truth with grace, and we lead with authenticity. Vulnerability is not weakness — it is strength in the hands of God. This is how trust is built, and how transformation takes root.

A HUNGER FOR IMPACT
Each of us is a co-owner of the mission. We are not spectators — we are participants in God’s redemptive work. We are here to clear away the clouds that obscure His kingdom, and to invite others into the light.

From the very beginning, CFCI has been about inviting more and more people into God’s kingdom and His mission. Jesus compared the Kingdom to a mustard seed — small at first, but destined to grow into a great tree. That growth is inevitable. And so we should expect it, yearn for it, and work toward it. Every day, in every city, in every conversation, we are inviting people in.

So let us move forward — not with fear, but with faith. Let us build on who we are, and trust God for who we are becoming.

Thank you for the honor of serving alongside you. May God continue to lead us, empower us, and use us for His glory.

With deep gratitude and great expectation,

Jake Hjemvick
President & CEO
Christ For the City International

October 23, 2024October 23, 2024

Global Ambassadors – Andy & Deborah Knapp

At Christ For the City International, we’ve always believed in the power of partnership, especially those that feel like family. For my husband Andy and me, that family began back in 2012 when we went on a short-term mission trip to El Salvador. I had been on mission trips before, but there was something about that trip that felt different—something deeper. Within 24 hours of being in El Salvador, I felt the overwhelming sense that I was home. I remember saying to myself, “This is where I belong.” It was as if the Holy Spirit had wrapped me in His arms and whispered, “This is your comfort zone.”

People always ask, “How were you able to leave your comfort zone and move overseas?” But what they don’t realize is that I found my comfort zone in El Salvador. I was 60 years old, and I had never had any desire to travel to Central America. In fact, I’d always dreamed of going to Africa. But when God called, He called me to El Salvador, and I knew without a doubt that this was where we were meant to be. Andy thought I was crazy. I remember telling him, “We’re going to move here.” He thought it was just talk—but I knew God had bigger plans.

A few months later, I convinced Andy to return with me CFCI Global Ambassadors. At first, he wasn’t so sure. Our third grandchild had just been born, and he didn’t want to leave our family. But during that trip, something changed. One night, while doing a Bible study, he came across the passage where Jesus says, “If you aren’t willing to leave your family and home, you aren’t willing to be My disciple.” It hit him hard. He wept, realizing that God was calling us to leave everything behind and follow Him. That night, Andy said, “We’re moving to El Salvador.”

In December 2013, at 60 years old, we moved to El Salvador as long-term missionaries. I’m sure some people at CFCI thought, “What are these old people doing here?” But let me tell you—those years were the best years of my life. Our lives became beautifully simple, focused solely on Jesus. Every day was about loving the people God had placed in front of us. We built such deep, genuine relationships with people who didn’t want anything from us—they just wanted to be loved. It was a life-changing experience.

Andy and I did everything from teaching English to photography, leading Bible studies, and even hosting short-term missionaries. We were like the mom and dad for every mission team that came through. Our home was always full—we’d invite 40 people, and 60 would show up because they’d bring their friends! And in El Salvador, people don’t call ahead— they just show up. At first, it was a little unnerving, but it quickly became one of the most beautiful aspects of our time there—real relationships, no appointments, just showing up for one another.

The relationships we built in El Salvador laid the foundation for something even bigger. In 2019, God placed it on our hearts to launch the Abundant Life Bible Bootcamp, based on John 10:10: “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Our passion was to share this abundant life with as many people as possible. Thanks to CFCI, we were able to take Abundant Life beyond borders, expanding from El Salvador to Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Zimbabwe, and beyond.

Looking back, I can see how God orchestrated every step of the journey. From the moment we said “yes” to that short- term trip to El Salvador, our lives were changed forever. Had we not gone, Abundant Life wouldn’t be what it is today. CFCI was the conduit that allowed us to fulfill what God had placed on our hearts. They were there when we needed them, providing direction, support, and encouragement. And through it all, we’ve learned that no matter where God sends us— whether it’s El Salvador, Africa, or right here in the States—He has a purpose, and we have a choice. We can either embrace what He has for us, or we can let fear hold us back.

But let me tell you this—if you’re still breathing, God still has work for you to do. We’re never too old, and we’re never too young. I’ve never loved anything more than sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, and I’m so thankful that CFCI has allowed us to do that, not just in one place, but across the world. It’s been a journey of transformation—both for us and for the countless lives we’ve been able to touch. We are just in awe that we get to be part of His perfect plan.

Would you like to be a part of our November Costa Rica Vision Tour Trip? Sign up here: https://cfci.org/trips/costa-rica-vision-tour/

July 23, 2024September 23, 2024

DECADES OF FAITHFULNESS

In the early 2000s, the Christ for the City International Costa Rica base received a young and vibrant group from Grace Church in South Carolina. Neither organization realized the week-long trip would blossom into a profound partnership, a genuine friendship, and, ultimately, a family-like bond.

As the leaders of CFCI in Costa Rica made the bold decision to relocate and establish a base in Nicaragua, Grace Church followed. In March 2003, Grace Church embarked on its first trip to Nicaragua, and together with CFCI worked with a local church in Chinandega. Twenty-years later, Grace Church and CFCI Nicaragua continue to co-labor for the gospel as they, together, ask God what to do in the country.

“We have the same heart, same goal, same purpose,” Fabricio Mendoza, CFCI Nicaragua Director said. “To equip and empower the saints.”

But this family-like connection didn’t take place overnight. It took commitment, intentionality, and trust from both CFCI Nicaragua and Grace Church.

“Being friends, being close, with built trust, has allowed us to not get our feelings hurt when someone says, ‘I think we should do something different’,” Wes Cavin, Grace Church’s missions volunteer said.

In March 2005, Wes went to Nicaragua for the first time with Grace Church and met Fabricio and Claudia. Between 2003-2009, what started as a series of outreach trips gradually evolved into a profound connection between the base and church. But by 2010, when Wes took over as Grace Church’s Nicaragua leader, and Fabricio took over as CFCI Nicaragua Director both realized they needed a strategy and outcome.

“There was really no strategy except we’ve got some resources, let’s send some people down and do some work,” Wes remembered.

Together Fabricio, Wes, CFCI Nicaragua, and Grace Church came together and created a game plan for the country of Nicaragua that matched both CFCI and Grace Church’s vision.

From that point on, the partnership established a three year focus on a particular area in Nicaragua. Grace Church sends four teams a year to teach two seminary type classes to a group of 50-70 local pastors each time. Grace Church also sends two community outreach teams a year that includes a medical team, children’s ministry, and construction projects.

“It’s very important when you find someone who has the same DNA as you,” Fabricio said. “Who is very focused on training the pastor and equipping the church because we believe the church is the light, the salt, and the witness from the Lord to each community.”

Over the years Wes has stayed for extended amounts of time in Fabricio’s home and Fabricio has stayed for extended amounts of time in Wes’s home.

“We’re friends and we consider each other family,” Wes said. “I actually believe that has benefited the ministry way more than partnership.”

From 2010-2013 they focused their attention on Rivas, 2013-2015 in Matagalpa, and from 2016-2019 in La Dalia. In 2018, when Nicaragua began to experience violent protests across the country, Grace Church was on their knees in prayer for the CFCI missionaries.

“For me, that means a lot,” Fabricio said. “People who are with you every day.”

Despite the violent protests, and challenging times, Grace Church continued to send teams down.

“If something happens here,” Fabricio joked. “I often will hear it through Wes first.”

In 2019, things were coming full circle as Grace Church and CFCI were headed back to their very first location from March 2003, Chinandega. They got two trips in before the world shut down in March 2020, and although they had to stop teams for a year, Grace Church did not forget about their Nicaraguan family.

When CFCI’s Nicaraguan missionaries got covid, four almost died. Public hospitals were awful, and they didn’t have the resources to pay for their medicine. But a pastor from Grace Church started to raise money so they could buy their medicine.

“This is something deep and special,” Fabricio said. “I didn’t call them; it was the Lord.”

CFCI and Grace Church celebrated 20 years of partnership and family in July 2023 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Managua with roughly 90 people, including 30 individuals from Grace Church

“I’d like to keep this relationship until Jesus comes,” Fabricio said with a smile.

A New Chapter, A Shared Calling

Global Ambassadors – Andy & Deborah Knapp

DECADES OF FAITHFULNESS

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